Library Collections

The National and University Library holds approximately 2.8 million items of library material. The NUK library collection is the core of the Slovenian written heritage. It includes all works which were either edited or published in Slovenia, refer to Slovenia, and were written in the Slovenian language, or written by Slovenian authors. The Slovenika collection has the status of a cultural monument, the preservation of which is the key task of the national library. In fulfilling it, the mechanism of legal deposit according to which the national library receives free copies of every publication published in Slovenia, plays a very important role. NUK also acquires nationally important material, scientific and study literature, which covers programs the Ljubljana university faculties, colleges, high and secondary schools.

According to the methods of acquiring library materials, bibliographic processing, method of storage and availability of material to users, the library collection is organised into the Main Library Collection and special library collections. Currently, the library has eight special collections: Manuscript Collection, Collection of Old Prints, Music Collection, Map Collection, Pictorial Collection, Ephemera and Grey Literature, Collection of Library Materials of Slovenes Abroad and Film Collection.

Special Collections Department

Management of collections containing rare and valuable materials (early printed books, manuscripts, visual materials, cartographic materials, music materials, ephemera, grey literature, and materials of Slovenians living outside Slovenia), with an emphasis on the preservation and visibility of cultural heritage:

• monitoring domestic and international availability of rare and valuable materials of national significance and contributing to acquisition policy planning;
• bibliographic processing of materials and metadata management;
• ensuring the safe and long-term preservation of materials;
• selecting and preparing materials and content for the Digital Library of Slovenia and other online portals;
• contributing to the development and establishment of the Slovenian humanities and heritage data space;
• providing professional assistance in the use of special collections materials and expert guidance in locating materials;
• cooperating with the academic community;
• preparing professional background materials (analyses, recommendations, guidelines, instructions) as well as professional and scholarly publications;
• guiding the development of professional activities of the special collections in accordance with international standards, guidelines, recommendations, and instructions;
• carrying out research, development, educational, exhibition, and promotional activities within the scope of its work.